Meaning & use
distinguishing characteristics
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Meanings
nounplural
The features that make one person, thing, or group clearly different from others of the same kind.
Grammar: Always plural in this phrase and takes a plural verb: the distinguishing characteristics are easy to see.
Patterns
- the distinguishing characteristics of something
- have distinguishing characteristics
- share distinguishing characteristics
The distinguishing characteristics of this bird are its long tail and bright yellow beak.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of her writing is the short, direct sentences.
Scientists listed the distinguishing characteristics that separate the two species.
nounpluraltechnical
The qualities that allow you to recognize a particular type or group when you see it again.
Grammar: Often used with "of" to name the group being identified: the distinguishing characteristics of a style.
Patterns
- the distinguishing characteristics of a group
- identify something by its distinguishing characteristics
The map shows the distinguishing characteristics of each region's architecture.
Teachers pointed out the distinguishing characteristics of a good summary.
The distinguishing characteristics of the dialect include several unusual vowel sounds.
Common combinations
- the distinguishing characteristics of
- The report describes the distinguishing characteristics of each market.
- key distinguishing characteristics
- Colour and size are the key distinguishing characteristics of these minerals.
- share distinguishing characteristics
- The two languages share several distinguishing characteristics.
- identify by distinguishing characteristics
- You can identify the plant by its distinguishing characteristics.
- main distinguishing characteristics
- The main distinguishing characteristics are listed in the first column.
Synonyms and how they differ
- features
- A general word for parts or qualities of something; it does not by itself suggest that those parts set it apart from others.
- hallmarks
- Suggests a typical sign of quality or identity, often used approvingly; distinguishing characteristics is more neutral and descriptive.
- traits
- Common for qualities of people, animals, or groups, but less often used for objects or styles.
Opposites
Word family
- distinguish verb
- To see or show the difference between two things.
- distinguishable adjective
- Able to be recognized as different from something else.
- distinctive adjective
- Easy to notice because it is unusual or particular to someone or something.
- characteristic noun
- A typical quality or feature of a person or thing.
Commonly confused: distinguishing characteristics or distinctive characteristics?
distinguishing characteristics vs distinctive characteristics
Distinctive characteristics simply means features that stand out; distinguishing characteristics emphasizes that they separate one thing from another.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is plural, so it needs a plural verb and plural matching items: "characteristics ... are its camera and battery." Option An and D use a singular verb, and C mixes a singular subject with a plural verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “distinguishing characteristics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.